Redistricting proposals for South Carolina posted online

The South Carolina House of Representatives redistricting committee on Friday made public the first maps of proposed new district lines. In northern Anderson County, the proposed District 10 would extend into Pickens and Greenville counties.

That district, currently represented by Rep. Dan Cooper, R-Piedmont, is one of several that are being redrawn as part of the redistricting.

According to state law, districts are redrawn every 10 years after U.S. census information is gathered to determine population areas of growth and decline across the states. The Judiciary Committee of the South Carolina House of Representatives is responsible for determining lines for congressional districts, as well as state House districts.

The proposed lines for District 10 would actually place Cooper's house in fellow Republican Rep. Brian White's District 6.

Cooper, who has served for more than 20 years in the legislature and is chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, which oversees budgeting for the state, said the redistricting was expected given the growth in the area.

In April, Cooper resigned his seat, saying he wanted to spend more time with his family. His last day is June 29. He would not comment on whether the redrawn district lines played a part in his decision to resign.

Dan Harvell, chairman of the Anderson County Republican Party, said redistricting is an uncomfortable fact of life.

"All the Southern states are experiencing this right now because of the influx of people moving into the area," Harvell said.

The process can make or break politicians, he said.

"There's always jockeying amongst the officials when it comes to redistricting," Harvell said. "Those lines can actually make or break some people's political careers."

Harvell said he would like to see the lines stay within the county.

"Anytime you extend those lines into another county, you make it more difficult for the legislator because they become part of two legislative delegations instead of just one," he said.